A 3-3 draw away to a side from the division above and the Greens can hold their heads high after this one. It had everything. Goals, red cards and a penalty shootout.
Runcorn made it clear early on they weren’t going to let FC Community settle. Physical from the first whistle and they used that to get on top. The Greens went in at half time 2-1 down and still in the game but knowing they’d been in a battle to stay there.
It got worse before it got better. Runcorn added a third shortly after the break and at that point most teams fold. However, FC Community dragged themselves back into it and pulled level with about fifteen minutes to go.
Then the last minute happened. Runcorn broke clear on goal and Emilia Partridge made the kind of tackle you know is coming before it happens. Last ditch and no other option. Red card. Free kick. Everyone holding their breath. Emma Jones pulled the gloves on and produced a brilliant save to keep it level and send it to penalties.
The shootout didn’t go our way and the bonus point slipped away with it. But the performance deserves merit. FC Community went toe to toe with a team from a higher division and matched them for ninety minutes. Runcorn are big, physical and well drilled and the Greens didn’t blink.
Emilia Partridge deserves a mention for pulling off some outstanding saves throughout the game and put her body on the line when it mattered most. The whole squad stood up though. Every single one of them.
Next up is Warrington Rylands at Admiral Park on Sunday. 1:30 kick-off. Come down and back the Greens.
